What:
Deputies responded to a near drowning in the area of Pass -A- Grill Beach, St Pete Beach. Bystanders and St Pete Fire Rescue assisted in rescuing four children and a mother.

When:
Deputies responded to the incident at approximately 6:09 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018.

Where:
The incident occurred on the beach near the far south end of Pass -A- Grill Beach, St Pete Beach.

Why/How:
Deputies responded to a near drowning in the area of Pass -A- Grill Beach, St Pete Beach. Bystanders and St Pete Fire Rescue assisted in rescuing four children and a mother.

According to deputies, 36 year–old Samar Aboukhdair was at Pass-A-Grill Beach with her six children and two of her neighbor’s children. The children were reported to have been swimming north of the Pass-A-Grill Southwest Jetty when witness heard the children scream from the water. The witnesses reported four children in the water and pulled two of the children out of the water to safety after it appeared they were caught in a strong tidal current. Witnesses say Aboukhdair went after the third child and became caught in the strong tidal current herself. One of the older children also went in the water with Aboukhdair and also became caught in the strong tidal current.

Deputies say upon their arrival St Pete Fire Rescue rescued the two remaining children and Aboukhdair in the water.

Paramedics treated Aboukhdair at the scene and transported her to the hospital, Aboukhdair is listed in critical but stable condition.

Three of the children were taken to the Hospital as a precautionary measure.

The parents of the two neighbor children who were with the Aboukhdair family were contacted and responded to pick the children up.

Deputies say they were able to contact Aboukhdair’s husband who is currently out of the country. He was reported to be taking the first flight home. The remaining children at the fathers request will be in the care of a family friend who picked up the children.

The eight children were being supervised on the beach by Aboukhdair at the time of the incident. Three of the eight children sustained minor injuries. All of the children have been released from the hospital.